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The National Institute of Justice Commemorates the 15th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act

In 1994, the U.S. Congress enacted the Violence Against Women Act, a comprehensive legislative package that marked the first
major investment by the federal government in state and local efforts to address violence against women. VAWA recognized the
devastating consequences that violence has on women, families and society as a whole. VAWA also acknowledged that violence
against women requires specialized responses to address unique barriers that prevent victims from seeking assistance from
the justice system.

The Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (VAWA 2005) further improved legal tools
and grant programs addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. With the help of VAWA funding,
NIJ has sponsored several research grants whose findings have further illustrated the challenges and potential solutions to
ending these crimes.

NIJ proudly joins the Office on Violence Against Women in commemorating 15 years of working together to end gender-based violence.

The following NIJ-sponsored research reports relevant to violence against women can be found on the NCJRS Web site: